6:50 p.m. Eastern
-Catcher Chris Coste told local Pennsylvania sportscaster Leslie Gudel that he has signed with the Mets. What this means regarding the team’s pursuit of Henry Blanco is yet to be seen.
-The Pirates have interest in Justin Duchscherer, says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
6 p.m. Eastern
-Fox Sports reports that the Mets have resigned IF Alex Cora to a one year deal worth $2 million with a vesting option for a second year and are also close to signing Henry Blanco as a backup, which means Brian Schneider’s days with the club are over. An interesting outlook one NL executive told Fox is that the Red Sox could sign Miguel Tejada to a two-year contract to play SS in 2010 and then take over at third base in 2011 after Mike Lowell’s contract expires.
-The Cardinals have signed IF Ruben Gotay today in addition to Jason LaRue, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
12:15 p.m. Eastern
-The Marlins told the Red Sox weeks ago that Hanley Ramirez was not available, Jon Heyman says.
-From Buster Olney: “Heard this: Matsui’s attraction as a marketable asset is no factor for the Yankees. It is about getting the right player at the right price.”
11:50 a.m. Eastern
-A lot of good information from MLB.com’s TR Sullivan. The Rangers asked about Josh Johnson and the Marlins said he was not available. There was no contact with Florida about Dan Uggla and Texas is denying that they contacted Marco Scutaro to play 3B, where Michael Young plays, even though Scutaro said they did. Jermaine Dye is on the team’s wish list, but Sullivan thinks he’ll end up on the Giants. The Brewers are interested in Kevin Millwood, but the team doesn’t seem inclined to move him.
-St. Louis Cardinals have resigned backup C Jason LaRue to a one year deal, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
9:55 a.m. Eastern
-Jon Heyman confirms Derek Jeter is the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
-The Red Sox may be inclined to sign Matt Holliday over Jason Bay and get Marco Scutaro and have the same number of first and second round picks in next year’s draft, an executive told Fox Sports. The chances of the Mets signing Bay seem slim. The Yankees, Cardinals and Mariners could provide competition regarding Holliday. The Braves and White Sox are interested in Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs but are likely to keep him without an excellent offer.
-Marlins GM Michael Hill said that Josh Johnson will be back with the team next season, says MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Hanley Ramirez isn’t going anywhere, Boston or otherwise, says Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald via Twitter. 
-The Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and Rangers have shown interest in Marco Scutaro, says Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Boston wants Scutaro at SS, Dodgers as a 2B and the Mariners as a 3B. Toronto will offer him arbitration so they’ll get a first round pick when he leaves.
-Hideki Okajima wants to negotiate a new contract with Boston for more money, according to NPB Tracker. Okajima is under team control through 2012.

3:30 p.m. Eastern
-Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are looking for an OF, even with Milton Bradley still on the team, and could go after Curtis Granderson or free agents Marlon Byrd, Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, Mike Cameron and Coco Crisp. Unless Boston wants Adam Everett or Miguel Tejada, they’ll have to sign Marco Scutaro, a Type A free agent.
11:25 a.m. Eastern
-Jon Heyman hears that Jermaine Dye wants to go west and that the Rangers could be his destination.
11 a.m. Eastern
-Toronto’s National Post reports that the Blue Jays want a major-league ready arm and a bat in addition to prospects for Roy Halladay. “Among the names mentioned prominently this week were Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley and Los Angeles Angels pitchers Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana.”
-Jon Heyman reports that the Blue Jays like Jesus Montero of the Yankees and Casey Kelly of the Red Sox, but major league ready guys would also have to be in the trade.
-The Pirates may even boost payroll this year with Hank Blalock and Rick Ankiel on their wish list, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The possibility seems unlikely though as the team wants to build with its young core. They may add a defensive SS like Adam Everett though.
-Peter Gammons likes the Toronto signing of SS Alex Gonzalez because it forces the Red Sox to go after a SS like Marco Scutaro, who would get the Jays a first round pick in next June’s draft.
-The Orioles are considering Erik Bedard and Ben Sheets this offseason, says MASN.
-The Diamondbacks are an unlikely suitor for Nick Johnson, says Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
-19-year-old SS prospect Starlin Castro is on such a fast track to the major leagues that the Cubs are moving Ryan Theriot to 2B, according to the Chicago Tribune.